News

BWW sees 20% increase in sales, revenue

Buffalo Wild Wings announced this week that its revenue and sales both increased about 20 percent during Q1.

April 29, 2015

Buffalo Wild Wings announced this week that its revenue and sales both increased about 20 percent during Q1.

"We're pleased with our first quarter same-store sales of 7 percent at company-owned restaurants and 6.0 percent at franchised locations," Sally Smith, president and CEO, said in a company release. "Sales were exceptionally strong during the college football bowl games as well as the NFL playoffs. Buffalo Wild Wings really came alive during March Madness, and we launched a new advertising campaign with unique commercials for each round of the tournament."

Highlights included

• Total revenue increased 19.8 percent to $440.6 million.
• Company-owned restaurant sales grew 20.3 percent to $415 million
• Same-store sales increased 7 percent at company-owned restaurants and 6 percent at franchised restaurants.
• Net earnings increased 2.6 percent to $29.1 million from $28.3 million, and earnings per diluted share increased 1.7 percent to $1.52 from $1.49.

"Our sales growth leveraged operating, occupancy, and general and administrative costs,” Smith said. “As anticipated, cost of sales and labor as a percentage of restaurant sales were higher than the prior year which tempered our net earnings growth. The price per pound for traditional chicken wings increased 41 percent versus the prior year's unusually low price.”

2015 Outlook

The chain will remain focusing on creating an engaging sports-viewing experience with great food and beverage offerings, Smith said.

“We continue to make progress in guest experience technology initiatives,” she said. “Our net earnings growth goal for 2015 remains 18 percent.”